How to cancel an Airbnb booking

You can cancel an Airbnb reservation through the app or website by going to your reservations, selecting the booking you want to cancel, and clicking the cancel button. The steps take about two minutes. What matters most is when you cancel, because Airbnb's refund policy depends entirely on the host's cancellation policy and how many days before check-in you cancel.

If you cancel within the host's grace period — usually 48 hours after booking — you get a full refund of the nightly rate. If you cancel later, the refund shrinks or disappears depending on whether the host set a strict, moderate, or flexible policy. Some hosts offer a partial refund up to a certain number of days before arrival; others offer nothing once you book. The cancellation screen always shows you the exact amount you will receive before you confirm, so you know what to expect.

Key Takeaways

  • Cancel through the Airbnb app or website by selecting your reservation and clicking cancel; you will see your refund amount before you confirm.
  • Your refund depends on the host's cancellation policy, not Airbnb's rules — read the policy before you book so you know what you will get back if plans change.
  • A grace period of 48 hours after booking usually guarantees a full refund of the nightly rate, even under strict policies.
  • If you cancel after the grace period, the refund amount shown on the cancellation screen is what you will actually receive.
  • Cancellations processed by Airbnb take 5 to 10 business days to appear in your account; some payment methods take longer.

Where to find the cancel button

Open the Airbnb app or go to airbnb.com and sign in. Tap or click the profile icon in the top right, then select "Trips" or "Reservations." Find the booking you want to cancel and tap or click on it to open the reservation details.

Scroll down until you see a "Cancel reservation" button or link. Click it. Airbnb will show you the cancellation policy for that listing, the refund amount you will receive, and the date the refund will be processed. Review this information carefully — once you confirm the cancellation, it cannot be undone.

Understanding refund amounts before you cancel

The cancellation screen always shows the exact refund you will get back. This number is based on three things: the host's cancellation policy, the number of days between now and your check-in date, and any service fees Airbnb charged you.

Airbnb's service fee is not refundable under any circumstance. If you paid $100 for the room and $15 in fees, and you are may have access to to a full refund, you will get $100 back but keep the $15 fee. The cancellation screen shows this breakdown, so you know exactly what to expect before you confirm.

How host cancellation policies work

Every Airbnb listing displays the host's cancellation policy before you book. The policy determines what you get back if you cancel. Airbnb offers hosts four standard options: flexible, moderate, strict, and super strict.

Flexible policies refund your full nightly rate if you cancel up to 24 hours before check-in. Moderate policies refund your full amount if you cancel up to 5 days before check-in, and 50 percent if you cancel between 5 days and 1 day before. Strict policies refund your full amount only if you cancel more than 30 days before check-in, and nothing if you cancel within 30 days. Super strict policies refund nothing no matter when you cancel, except during the 48-hour grace period after booking.

All policies, regardless of type, include a 48-hour grace period after you complete the booking. During this window, you get a full refund of the nightly rate even if the host chose super strict. After the grace period ends, the host's policy takes over completely.

What happens after you confirm the cancellation

Once you click confirm, the cancellation is final. Airbnb sends a notification to the host when ready. The refund amount shown on the screen will be returned to your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days, though some banks and payment processors take longer to post the money to your account.

If you used a credit card, the refund appears as a credit on your next statement. If you used a debit card, the funds return to your account but may take an extra few days depending on your bank. PayPal refunds process through PayPal and then to your linked bank account. Check your payment method's transaction history if the refund does not appear within two weeks.

Canceling when the host has already canceled

If the host cancels on you, you do not need to cancel yourself. Airbnb automatically refunds your full nightly rate within 5 to 10 business days. You will receive a notification from Airbnb explaining the cancellation and your refund status.

If the host cancels within 30 days of your check-in date, Airbnb may offer you a rebooking credit equal to the amount you paid, which you can use toward another reservation. You can accept the credit or request the refund instead — the choice is yours. Contact Airbnb through the Resolution Center if you do not receive either option automatically.

Canceling a reservation you have not paid for yet

Some hosts allow you to reserve a listing without paying when ready. If you have a pending reservation that has not been charged yet, you can cancel it without any refund because no money left your account. Go to your reservations, select the pending booking, and click cancel. The host will be notified that you are no longer interested.

Pending reservations usually expire after a set number of days if the host does not accept them, so you may not need to cancel manually. Check your reservation details to see the expiration date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel an Airbnb reservation after I have already checked in?

No. Once you check in, the reservation is active and cannot be canceled through the app. If you need to leave early, contact the host directly to discuss your options. Some hosts may refund part of your stay as a courtesy, but Airbnb does not process refunds for active reservations.

What if I cancel but the refund does not show up after 10 business days?

Check your payment method's transaction history first — the refund may have posted under a different name or date than you expect. If you do not see it after 14 days, contact Airbnb through the Resolution Center in the app or website. Have your reservation number and cancellation confirmation ready.

Can I cancel and rebook the same listing for a different date?

Yes, but only if the host's calendar allows it. Cancel your current reservation first, then search for the new dates. The listing may not be available, or the host may have changed the price. You will be charged the current rate for the new dates, not the original rate.

Do I lose my money if I cancel during the grace period?

No. The 48-hour grace period after booking guarantees a full refund of the nightly rate, even if the host chose a super strict policy. You will not get back the service fee, but the accommodation cost is fully refundable during this window.

What if the host's policy says no refund but I have a medical emergency?

Airbnb does not override host policies for personal reasons, including medical emergencies. Your only option is to contact the host directly and ask them to make an exception. Some hosts will refund you out of goodwill, but Airbnb cannot force them to. If the host refuses, you have no recourse through Airbnb.